episode II
'You have to stop before it gets out of control,' she begged.
The man standing in front of her was cloaked in the familiar black coat with red clouds, his forehead concealed behind a Konoha head protector that had a sharp slash across it. 'It's going exactly as planned, Reiko,' Uchiha Itachi replied, gazing past the cliffs that overlooked the vast forests.
Reiko took a step forward. 'Don't do this, Itachi,' she had pleaded with tears in her eyes. 'It doesn't have to be like this. There is still something you could do before it's too late. If Sasuke gets taken by –'
'I won't let that happen,' Itachi had responded in his typical quiet, calm voice. 'I know what you're asking of me, but this …is the one thing I can't do. I've already come this far. I have to finish what I started.'
'So you expect me to just stand by and watch it all fall apart?'
Itachi shifted slightly, and his trademark crimson eyes met hers in a soft gaze.
Reiko's eyes were filled with sorrow as she went on, 'What's the point of letting me know what really happened to you if there's nothing I can do?'
He glanced at her with gentle eyes and mustered up the faintest smile. 'I …wanted you to know. It was important to me. But I don't want you to get any more involved in this whole debacle …you've already suffered enough because of me.'
Reiko grasped his arm. 'If you know that, then you would understand what I'm feeling right now. Don't make me live the rest of my life in regret because of this.'
Itachi gazed down at her, and put his hand over hers that was grasping his own arm. 'I'm sorry …Reiko. I have to do this.'
'Your life is just as important as his,' she whispered. 'You would go to such extent for this …?' she trailed off, feeling the helplessness welling up inside her like a gigantic wave.
Itachi fell silent, but he held her gaze. 'I have to do what I have to do.'
Her light gray eyes reflected the pain she felt inside. 'I have lost you once before,' she said tearfully, her voice barely above a whisper. 'Please …don't make me lose you …again …'
His eyes were sad as he lifted one hand and placed it on her cheek. 'I'm sorry …Reiko …that I'll never be the man you want me to be.'
The words were like a trigger that unleashed a floodgate of emotions within her. She knew the whole situation was as hopeless as she felt inside, and there really was nothing she could do, and that was exactly what hurt most.
She turned away just as a lone tear forlornly slipped down her cheek, and Itachi quietly placed his arms around her, drawing her closer to him as she wept silently on his shoulder.
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